Rafael Torrubia

The sensitivity to punishment and sensitivity to reward questionnaire (SPSRQ) as a measure of Gray's anxiety and impulsivity dimensions

Gray [In H. J. Eysenck, A model for personality (pp. 246–276). New York: Springer; 1981; The neuropsychology of anxiety: an enquiry into the functions of the septo-hippocampal system. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1982] has described two motivational systems, the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behavioural Activation System (BAS), that control aversive and appetitive behaviour, respectively. Research on Grays model of personality has been hindered by the lack of specific self-report measures of the reactivity and responsivity of these systems. We describe a set of studies that illustrate the main psychometrical characteristics of the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ). The two scales of the questionnaire were developed by writing items to assess BIS and BAS functioning, respectively. Results showed that both scales were independent, and presented satisfactory internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Studies 2–5 reported data related to convergent and discriminant validity of the scales. The Sensitivity to Punishment scale was: (1) positively related to Eysencks neuroticism dimension; (2) negatively related to extraversion; (3) not related to psychoticism; (4) significantly related to the STAI-Trait scale of Spielberger; and (5) related to the somatic, behavioral, and cognitive anxiety scales of Lehrer and Woolfolk [Behavioral Assessment, 4, (1982) 167–177.]. The Sensitivity to Reward scale was: (1) positively related to Eysencks extraversion and neuroticism; (2) moderately related to psychoticism; (3) positively related to the Eysencks Impulsiveness scale [Psychological Reports, 43, (1978) 1247–1255] and the Zuckermans Sensation Seeking Scales [Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, (1978) 139–149]. Although future construct validity studies are needed, discussion is focused on the importance of using specific designed measures to evaluate and develop Grays model.

The measurement of individual differences in behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation systems: a comparison of personality scales

The measurement of anxiety and impulsivity dimensions is one of the main problems that Grays model faces in human research. Contrary to most personality models, Grays model has no standard way to assess the personality dimensions that arise from the theory. Multiple measurement strategies have been used, some of them introducing conceptual errors and difficult outcome comparisons. In this paper, scales most used in anxiety and impulsivity assessment are studied and compared in order to provide some empirical clues that could help in the decision on which scale to use for the assessment of individual differences in anxiety and impulsivity dimensions. Some validity criteria are proposed as convergence with other measures, orthogonality, and correlations with the Extraversion and Neuroticism scales. From the analyses performed with 538 university students, a high homogeneity in anxiety measures is observed, being the Sensitivity to Punishment and Harm Avoidance scales which best fits in validity criteria. A lesser homogeneity is observed across impulsivity scales; in this case the Sensitivity to Reward and I7 scales showed the best results.

Personality dimensions, schizotypal and borderline personality traits and psychosis proneness

The present study was aimed at assessing the relationship between personality dimensions and psychopathological traits of psychosis proneness. Consistent with this goal, a psychometric study was carried out involving a sample drawn from a population of first year university students (n = 735). Subjects completed Eysenck and Eysencks scales measuring the three major descriptive dimensions of his personality model (Psychoticism, Extraversion and Neuropticism), Claridge and Brokss scales of schizotypal and borderline traits and Chapman and Chapmans scales of Physical Anhedonia, Social Anhedonia, Perceptual Aberration and Magical Ideation traits. Results suggest that different sets of psychopathological traits can be identified in psychosis proneness which relate to the three personality dimensions. These findings seem in accordance with high-risk and clinical research studies. Implications for future research on psychosis proneness including personality variables are discussed.

Behavioral Inhibition System activity is associated with increased amygdala and hippocampal gray matter volume: A voxel-based morphometry study

Recent research has examined anxiety and hyperactivity in the amygdala and the anterior hippocampus while processing aversive stimuli. In order to determine whether these functional differences have a structural basis, optimized voxel-based morphometry was used to study the relationship between gray matter concentration in the brain and scores on a Behavioral Inhibition System measure (the Sensitivity to Punishment scale) in a sample of 63 male undergraduates. Results showed a positive correlation between Sensitivity to Punishment scores and gray matter volume in the amygdala and the hippocampal formation, that is, in areas that Gray, J.A., and McNaughton, N.J. (2000). The neuropsychology of anxiety. Oxford: Oxford Medical Publications. associated with the Behavioral Inhibition System.

Psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the McGill pain questionnaire in several Spanish-speaking countries

ObjectiveVersions of the McGill Pain Questionnaire are available in a several languages and are used in clinical studies and sociocultural or ethnic comparisons of pain issues. However, there is a lack of studies that compare the validity and reliability of the instrument in the countries where it is used. The current study investigates the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire in five Spanish-speaking countries. DesignThe authors conducted a multicenter and transnational study with one investigator in each center. Patients were evaluated once with a Spanish version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, a visual analog scale, and a verbal rating scale. SettingThe study was performed in pain clinics and acute pain units of four Latin American countries (Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama) and Spain. PatientsThe study included 205 patients (84 with acute pain, 121 with chronic pain) from Latin America. Their data were compared with those of 282 Spanish patients. InterventionsThe McGill Pain Questionnaire, visual analog scale, and verbal rating scale were administered once to all patients. The McGill Pain Questionnaire was administered again to patients from Latin America countries to ascertain descriptor comprehension. Outcome measuresDemographic data, McGill Pain Questionnaire parameters, and visual analog scale and a verbal rating scale scores were obtained from patients with chronic and acute pain. Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire were established for each country by calculating the ordinal consistency by means of rank-scale correlation (Spearman test), intercategory correlation, and interparameter correlation (Pearson test). Concurrent validity was also calculated by comparing scores from the visual analog scale (Pearson test) and verbal rating scale (Spearman test) with questionnaire parameters (qualitative-to-quantitative comparisons). ResultsThe Spanish version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire maintained a high internal validity when tested in different countries. Ordinal consistency, intercategory, interparameter, and qualitative-to-quantitative parameter correlations were similar in all countries. Few descriptors were considered to be inappropriate or difficult to understand. ConclusionsThe psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire assessed in different Latin-American countries suggest that the questionnaire may be used to evaluate Spanish-speaking patients. The validity of this test should be extended with reliability studies to further establish its usefulness in the evaluation of pain.

High sensitivity to punishment and low impulsivity in obsessive-compulsive patients with hoarding symptoms

Recent factor-analytic studies involving over 2000 patients have reduced the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) into a few dimensions or potentially overlapping syndromes. Hoarding consistently emerged as a separate factor in all these studies. This study investigated the relationship between OCD symptom dimensions and normal personality traits in a sample of 56 OCD patients. They were administered the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, derived from Grays and Eysencks personality models, respectively. The personality scores were correlated with previously identified symptom dimensions from the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist (Y-BOCS-SC), controlling for overall illness severity. High scores on the hoarding dimension of the Y-BOCS-SC were positively correlated with scores on the Sensitivity to Punishment scale and negatively with Eysencks Psychoticism scale. While high sensitivity to punishment is a personality feature common to many OCD patients, it is more strongly pronounced in patients with hoarding symptoms. These patients also appear to be less impulsive or novelty seeking as reflected by low scores on Eysencks Psychoticism scale. High sensitivity to punishment and low novelty seeking in OCD hoarders might explain their poor compliance and response to conventional treatments, but this question needs to be explored further in a prospective treatment study.

COMORBID ATTENTION-DEFICIT/ HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN BORDERLINE PATIENTS DEFINES AN IMPULSIVE SUBTYPE OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

In order to examine the impulsive profile of a BPD sample with comorbid ADHD, adult patients who met criteria for BPD were assessed for ADHD with the CAADID and the WURS. A high rate of ADHD in the BPD sample was found, with sixty-nine (38.1%) BPD patients diagnosed as having comorbid adult ADHD. BPD-ADHD group had higher rates of general substance use disorder (59.4% vs. 38.4%), antisocial personality disorder (7.2% vs. 0.9%) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (21.7% vs. 6.3%). The BPD group without comorbid adult ADHD showed a higher rate of mood disorders (62.5% vs. 37.7%), panic disorders (54.5% vs. 23.1%) and benzodiazepine abuse (18.8% vs. 5.8%). Only in BPD patients without ADHD was comorbid avoidant personality disorder found. BPD patients could be distinguished in two clear subgroups related to the adult ADHD comorbidity. BPD-ADHD patients showed a more homogeneous and impulsive profile while BPD without ADHD comorbidity had more anxiety and depressive disorders.

Striatum gray matter reduction in males with an overactive behavioral activation system

Using optimized voxel‐based morphometry, we studied the relationship between gray matter volume in brain areas associated with reward and scores on a behavioral activation system measure (the Sensitivity to Reward scale) in a sample of 50 male undergraduates. Voxel‐based morphometry analysis revealed a negative correlation between Sensitivity to Reward scores and gray matter volume in the dorsal striatum and prefrontal cortex. Results indicate that a reduced volume in the striatum might be associated with enhanced reward sensitivity and deficits in inhibitory control.

Hostility-Aggressiveness, Sensation Seeking, and Sex Hormones in Men: Re-Exploring Their Relationship

To evaluate the relationship between sex hormones and aggressiveness, hostility and sensation seeking we studied 30 healthy males. Using a standardised technique of radioimmunoassay, we obtained blood values of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17β-estradiol (E2), total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and the free androgen index (FAI). Personality was evaluated by the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory and the Sensation-Seeking Scale, form V. The results showed a lack of significant correlations between the measures of aggressiveness-hostility and hormones. Nevertheless, Spearman and Pearson correlations between Sensation Seeking and testosterone were positive and significant after controlling for age. Considerably higher correlations were obtained after controlling for LH and SHBG. A group of subjects with high scores in a factor made up of Experience Seeking, Disinhibition and Boredom Susceptibility obtained significantly higher scores on TT and FAI. Subjects with high scores in a factor made up of Assault, Indirect Aggression and Verbal Aggression obtained significantly higher scores in SHBG and TT. These findings support Zuckerman’s personality model for the sensation-seeking trait.

Personality characteristics in obsessive-compulsive disorder and individuals with subclinical obsessive-compulsive problems

OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between normal personality traits and obsessive-compulsive (OC) phenomena in individuals with subclinical OC problems and patients whose problems met diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHOD In Study 1, 25 healthy volunteers with high scores on the Padua Inventory (PI) and 28 controls with low scores on the PI were compared on the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and measures of depression and state anxiety. In Study 2, 56 treatment-seeking participants meeting DSM-IV criteria for OCD and 40 healthy volunteers of similar sociodemographic characteristics were compared on the same measures. RESULTS Both individuals with subclinical OC problems and OCD patients scored significantly higher than their respective control groups on sensitivity to punishment, neuroticism and psychoticism. OCD patients, but not individuals with subclinical OC problems, scored lower in extraversion than their respective controls. Neuroticism was the strongest predictor of high scores on the PI in Study 1, while psychoticism was the strongest predictor of the presence of an OCD diagnosis in Study 2. CONCLUSION Healthy participants with high scores on OC measures and OCD patients share various personality traits but can also be distinguished according to the level of extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism.